AMY BIRD ASTROLOGY

Saturday, 26 November 2016

Well, we are now out of Scorpio season, with all of the emotional
intensity, letting go and purging that it brings! Sagittarius season is now
upon us, bringing a bit more humour to the picture at least! One of the
beautiful aspects of Sagittarius is the ability to see the positive potential
for growth in every situation, no matter how painful or challenging. Scorpio season
will have brought up issues of trust, intimacy, power, powerlessness, death/rebirth,
transformation and vulnerability, all of which cause us to dig deep beneath the
surface in order to understand ourselves, our loved ones and life itself. This
is where we join forces and merge with others, experiencing a “death” of our
separate self. Scorpio is where we literally experience energy, the pain of
loss and the power of magic and things unseen and we start to question “Why?” This
then leads us to Sagittarius, who takes it a step further so that we look for
higher meaning in life and contemplate what we believe in, what our faith is
and where we fit into this cosmos of ours. Sagittarius invites us to trust our
gut, strengthen our intuition and develop our faith and connection to the Divine,
Universe, God, Higher Self, or whatever we choose to call it!

As such, this New Moon could make us question our beliefs
and our hunches. The Sun and Moon are forming a square to the Nodes of the
Moon, which indicates that this is a very significant Moon on a deep, soul
level. Squares to the Nodal axis represent skipped steps, so there is a sense
that we have been here before and somehow messed up, so now we are back experiencing
the same issue again in the hope that this time we can do it differently. Maybe
this time we can step past our old, familiar patterns that don’t do us any
favours and try something new on for size! With the Sun and Moon in Sagittarius
and sitting smack, bang on top of Juno, the asteroid of marriage and
partnership, the old patterns to overcome will most likely relate to our
beliefs about ourselves, our relationships and life itself. These attitudes and
beliefs are often so entrenched that it is quite difficult to change them, but
this is our chance! These beliefs could range anywhere from “I’m not good enough”
to “Everyone I love leaves me in the end” to “I’m not worth loving”, to “I can’t
make a relationship work” and they will have all come from something that
happened to us along the way, whether it be a parent leaving, or a relationship
not working out, or even a throwaway comment made by someone we trusted and
respected, such as a parent or school teacher.

The South Node of the Moon, representing the past patterns,
attitudes and beliefs, is in Pisces, sitting right next to Neptune, Pisces’
Ruler. This is a double whammy of sensitive Pisces energy! We might want to
examine how we keep ourselves small and in victim mode through our beliefs
about ourselves. Victim mentality disempowers us, because it means that we
blame something or someone outside of us for whatever is happening to us. As
Richard Bach says, “If it’s never our
fault, we can’t take responsibility for it. If we can’t take responsibility for
it, we’ll always be its victim.” All this does is keep us stuck in our own
little pity party, preventing us from taking positive action and actually making
changes. It is very important during this Moon to have a long hard look at how
we might tend to disempower ourselves by believing that we have no control or are
at the mercy of something or someone else, rather than taking responsibility for
our part in whatever is happening. How are our beliefs about ourselves keeping
us small and disempowered? How would a simple attitude adjustment make a
difference? What if we do have the power to make a different decision?

The North Node in
Virgo represents the potential for soul growth and is the resolution to the square
from the Sun and Moon. Virgo is quite practical and no nonsense and likes
making healthy routines that build skills and self-confidence. This can help
balance the Pisces tendency to feel overwhelmed. VIrgo is practiced at the art
of discernment, which can help us to separate truth from illusion or delusion.
Pisces, in its negative state, is well versed in the art of self-deception and
sabotage and it is so very easy to lie to ourselves and bury our heads in the
sand. Virgo will have none of that and will help us to see where we are putting
the blame outside of ourselves instead of taking a long hard look inside! Virgo
can also help us discern whether we are experiencing the fear, paranoia and
anxiety of the Pisces South Node experience or whether it is simply our
Sagittarius “gut instinct” giving us valuable warning signs. Is it fear coming
from old, outworn, sabotaging patterns or beliefs, or is it our intuition warning
us that we are not obeying our higher self? Have we gone against our gut
reactions in the past, to our detriment? Possibly we are now being invited to
obey them and create a different story for ourselves.

Jupiter, the ruler
of this Sagittarius Moon, is forming a challenging, square aspect to Pluto, the
planet of soul and transformation. This aspect is still very strong but was
exact on Thursday evening and coincided with Venus (relationships)and Pluto
joining forces in Capricorn. Not only that, but Jupiter is in Libra, the sign
of relationships. This has the capacity to bring deep transformation of our
faith and beliefs. We may be forced to confront any beliefs about ourselves and
the way we relate, as well as realising some very uncomfortable truths that are
hard to hide from. We could also come up against other people’s deeply held
convictions and beliefs, which could be a bit challenging, as they may express
them with considerable force! We could have a crisis of faith. Ultimately
Jupiter wants us to grow and expand, while Pluto can represent a big, cosmic
kick up the bum if we are going against our truth and purpose. Put the two of
them together and we might be forced to dive into the shadows and own up to
whatever muck we find there! However hard it may be to face, there is always a
hidden treasure when it comes to Pluto. We can be sure that this will bring
enormous soul growth if we are willing to step out of south node victim and own
our stuff. We are invited to step up and step beyond old patterns so that we
can stand fully in our power.

There is more, of
course, but I won’t go into it too much as I have already gone into detail in
the last post on the Taurus Full Moon. The Chiron/Saturn square is still
building, which could make everything feel a bit heavy but will bring great
rewards if we are willing to actually acknowledge and own our limitations and vulnerabilities.
The Uranus/Saturn trine is also building, helping us find new solutions to old
problems and break out of old conditioning so that we are free to be exactly
who we are. In terms of the world we live in, the old systems/structures are so
obviously breaking down at this point that it is obvious that something new
must take their place, so this trine can help us envision what that might be. If
things aren’t working then we just have to find a new way of being! It is quite
likely that it will come from the ground up. We are all responsible. There is
also a sense of old beliefs being broken down, which is very much in keeping
with this New Moon.

The Sabian symbol for
this New Moon is “Within the depths of the earth new elements are being formed.”
Dane Rudyar describes this as “The
alchemical fire which both purifies and transforms the very substance of man’s
inner life.” This New Moon certainly brings the potential for some profound
changes and shifts within us that may not be obvious on surface level but could
bring enormous growth on a soul level. Both personally and collectively, things
are moving, shaking and rumbling from deep within! As with all New Moons, this is
a time of endings and beginnings and this one gives us the chance to leave the
old beliefs and patterns behind in the dark of the moon and set some positive
intentions that involve walking down a different path, creating a different
story for ourselves and not looking back! In some way, shape or form we have
been here before. This time we do it differently.

Thursday, 10 November 2016

We might want to call this Full Moon a Super Supermoon, as
it is going to be the largest, brightest, closest moon to the earth since 1948,
and won’t be this close again until 2034. Supermoons have a stronger impact on our
emotions and spirits than your ordinary, run of the mill Full Moon, so it is
quite likely that we will feel this one very strongly, especially if it forms
aspects to our personal planets or angles. Anything that has been simmering
away in our unconscious for the two weeks beforehand will very likely come bubbling
up to the surface and demand release. Whatever comes out may not exactly be
rational, but better out than in, that’s for sure! There is a healing quality
to this Moon which has the potential to help us to purge, purify and allow our
emotions to just be. The only aspect to the Moon is coming from Chiron, the
Wounded Healer, which gives us the opportunity to simply sit with our emotions
and any pain or discomfort that we may be feeling rather than pushing them
away. This aspect can help us gain more insight, understanding, acceptance,
forgiveness, empathy and compassion when it comes to the fears, wounds and
insecurities of both ourselves and others. Tears may flow, but that’s alright.
Let them.

The Moon is in earthy, sensual, self-sufficient Taurus,
sitting directly opposite powerful, intense and transforming Scorpio. The key
to Full Moon is to find some balance between the energy of the two signs rather
than veering too far in one direction. Taurus invites us to contemplate what
our true, core values are and truly live by them. While the Scorpio experience
can highlight issues of power and powerlessness which can leave us feeling
quite vulnerable, Taurus encourages us to stand on our own two feet and
recognise our own power that comes from within. Instead of giving our power
away to the powers that be or thinking that our power is being taken away from
us, Taurus urges us to become more self-sufficient, resourceful, self-reliant
and empowered. Scorpio issues can include feelings of loss, betrayal of trust
and the feeling of having the rug pulled out from underneath us. She forces us
to confront the darker side of reality and face up to what is simmering below
the surface, as much as we might prefer to deny its existence. Taurus, on the
other hand, represents Mother Earth and reminds us that, no matter what, we are
held and supported. And we will survive. In fact, this is a really good time to
go for a walk in the woods and connect with the earth and the trees. They have
a calm, stable, rooted, unchanging quality that is very much akin to the energy
of Taurus.

On the other side of the coin, this Moon may highlight where
we are stuck and stagnating somehow. It is so easy to get stuck in old,
familiar patterns that have long outgrown their usefulness, falling into the
same rut, over and over again. Taurus is the queen of staying safe for the sake
of security, while Scorpio, as I said, rips the rug out from beneath us and promotes
growth on a deep, soul level. Scorpio forces us to confront the truth of the
matter, much as we would prefer to deny it. As such, this Full Moon could
involve us experiencing a threat to our inner security and value system, but it
is very much necessary in order for us to grow. Sometimes we have to be pushed
way outside of our comfort zones in order for us to shift out of complacency
and “sameness”. Our habits can become so entrenched and we can become so rigid and
stuck for the sake of so called “security” that we need a cosmic kick up the
bum to get things moving again and make sure we are aligned with our true
purpose. Old habits die hard, but die they must if we are to evolve! Scorpio
season involves releasing old patterns, purging and letting go; shedding the
old skin so that we can be reborn, a more authentic version of ourselves. This
may be experienced as a threat to our survival, as Taurus does like to play it
safe, but we just have to remember that, for reasons that have yet to be
revealed, it is necessary for growth.

Uranus is poking and prodding the Sun during this Moon, which
could well cause us to feel a bit unsettled, as if the ground beneath us is a bit
shaky. Uranus is the Great Awakener, the rebel and revolutionary, and tends to
shake things up and force change if we have fallen into a rut. He is the breath
of fresh air that blasts the cobwebs away. He helps to release us from the past
and anything that may be blocking us from living our full potential. If we are
in denial of what needs to change within us then Uranus’s energy can be experienced
as crisis and external events that are seemingly out of our control, when in
fact they are merely a reflection of our inner need to shift and change.

Uranus is currently building up to a harmonious trine aspect
with Saturn which will continue to grow until it peaks on the 25th
of December. Saturn represents authority, structure, control, government and “the
system”, and tends towards conformity and abiding by the rules, while Uranus likes
to break the rules and help release us from the conditioning of our parents and
society. Saturn tells us what we should or shouldn’t do, while Uranus
encourages us to think outside of the box, question authority and do what feels
right for us, not what we feel we “should” do. Saturn represents the old,
inherited way of doing things; the past, while Uranus represents our ideals,
new vision; the future. As this aspect is a harmonious one it is not going to
hits us over the head like a sledgehammer, so the energy of two planets will
work with one another rather than against one another. This gives us the
opportunity to bend the rules rather than breaking them and to understand how
the system works so that we can find ways of making it work for us rather than
against us.

Uranus is the visionary, so it is possibly that we will come
up with ideas for new systems to replace the old, antiquated ones that are so
obviously not working anymore. It will allow us to question authority, not so
much that it causes an out and out revolution or gets peoples backs up, but
rather so that we can come up with solutions that are tangible and realistic.
On a very personal level, we also have an opportunity to release ourselves from
old conditioning that we picked up from our parents, school etc, and to gently
break through anything that is blocking us from being our Self. Not the self
that we have been told we should be, but our true Self. First we have Saturn,
representing conformity and success in the mundane world, then we have Uranus,
who breaks it all apart and causes us to question everything and see life very
differently (even go a bit crazy!)so that we can then move onto Neptune and the
experience of oneness, unity, unconditional love, mysticism, connection to all
that is. It is a process! This aspect between Saturn and Uranus could involve
us collectively questioning all that we have been told so that we can move up
to the next level in our evolution. We will experience it three times in the
coming year – December of this year, May 2017 and November 2017. As I said,
this is an opportunity rather than a kick up the bum, so we should take
advantage of it while it’s here.

In the meantime, there is also a more challenging aspect
starting to build between Saturn and Chiron, the Wounded Healer. As I said,
Saturn represents parental and societal authority, structure, government, control
etc, so it is quite likely that we will be feeling a lot of pain and wounding
coming from these areas. We might have
to confront considerable darkness during this time and it is quite likely that
things could look a bit bleak. Remember, however, that Saturn is aspecting
Uranus at the same time and that sometimes things have to get worse to get
better, and so often it takes things becoming intolerable for human beings to seek
change. We have a chance with this aspect to allow our vulnerabilities and old
conditioning to come to the surface and to confront the darker side of our psyches
so they can be healed with forgiveness, acceptance and compassion. It is
important to face whatever comes up rather than running away from it. The more
we suppress our shadow side the more it gets distorted and grows. This aspect will be exact on 29th
of December, so the energy will build until then.

The Sabian symbol for Venus, the ruler of this Full Moon,
speaks of us being “receptive to growth and understanding” and Dane Rudyar
mentions “the strong drive in every human consciousness or will toward new
experiences, whether they are constructive or destructive. Man may grow and
gain understanding and wisdom through both types.” The Sabian symbol for Uranus
is “The gate to the garden of all
fulfilled desires” which Rudyar describes as “abundance made possible by human
togetherness and cooperation……alone,
a human being can barely survive in nature’s great life drama; in organised
groups men can in due time fulfil their desires. “ He summaries this symbol as “Cosmic
optimism”. Uranus seems to be the key at the moment! Let’s keep an eye on that
Saturn Uranus trine and see what we can come up with collectively! It’s time
to stick together and come up with positive solutions rather than succumbing to
fear and wallowing in the darkness.

With Neptune sitting
smack, bang on top of the South Node of the Moon, which represents what we need
to be letting go of in order to move forward and grow, we are currently being
urged to let go of victim consciousness. It is all too easy to play the victim
and look outside of ourselves for someone or something else to blame for
whatever is happening to us, but it serves nobody. This Full Moon may make us
feel a bit wobbly and cause our sense of security to be threatened, making us
feel a bit vulnerable and powerless, but Taurus encourages us to be resourceful
and empower ourselves, and to be true to our values and principles. We are
going through a shedding process that could be quite painful and forces us to
confront the darker side of life, but is ultimately very important because
sometimes a shake-up is needed to jolt us out of old, outworn patterns and
habits. Things can’t stay the same forever and it would be very boring if they
did! We mustn’t forget, during this Taurus Moon, to connect with Mother Nature
and visit some trees. They stand there, years after year, unwavering and
unaffected by the drama that us humans fall prey to. Sometimes we need the
reminder that we have solid ground beneath us and are held.

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Compared to the Moons we have experienced in recent times
this one is quite gentle in comparison, although that being said, it is not
without a certain quiet, potent power! This is Scorpio we are talking about
after all, the sign that asks us to dig deep into our psyches and souls and
face the truth, even if we don’t like what we see. With the Sun, Moon and
Mercury in Scorpio at the moment, not to mention Black Moon Lilith and Juno,
the goddess of marriage and partnership, we are certainly being encouraged to
confront our shadows and allow ourselves to be truly open and honest so that we
can achieve a greater intimacy within our relationships. Not to mention that in
order to be honest with another human being we are of course required to be
honest with ourselves. Emotional honesty can be quite painful, as it brings up
things we might prefer to deny, such as shame, guilt, fears, trauma and deep
emotional wounds. As such, it can seem so
much easier to just gloss over the parts we don’t want to confront in ourselves
and keep them buried, hidden from view, brushed under the carpet. However, just
because things are hidden it doesn’t mean they’re not there! In fact, their
power over us grows and distorts the more it is suppressed.

Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, the planet of the soul, power and
transformation, so this New Moon holds the potential for some deep soul work
which can help us to move forward on our path and evolution. The Nodes of the
Moon are also being positively aspected by the Sun, Moon and Mercury, so if we
are willing to do the work and dive into our own personal underworlds we have a
chance to come up with some hidden treasure! It takes courage and a lot of
trust to bare our souls and let ourselves be vulnerable with another person and
allow them to truly see us, but we are rewarded with a deeper intimacy that
comes from knowing that there is nothing left to hide. So often, what we think
is our deepest, darkest secrets or shame is actually not that much of a big
deal to someone else. We are definitely our own greatest judge! Not only that, but
once they are shared they start to lose their power over us. They’re not
lurking in the shadows anymore, covered up and encrusted with shame, guilt,
lies and denial. We’ve allowed the light of awareness and compassion to shine
on them, and suddenly they don’t look so scary or hideous anymore.

Scorpio comes after Libra, the sign of relationships, and
takes the whole concept of relationship to a much deeper level. With Scorpio we
connect to others on a soul level and merge with them, sexually, emotionally,
spiritually and/or materially. When we fully surrender and merge with another
we experience a “death” of our individual self as we create something bigger
than the two of us. This could take the
form of a partnership, collaboration, community or intimate relationship.
Scorpio asks a lot of us, as she rules the themes of trust, sexuality,
intimacy, soul, death/rebirth, transformation. When we trust another we run the
risk of betrayal. When we love another we run the risk of losing them. When we
dive in and join forces with another we run the risk of losing ourselves. These
are the themes we are working with during this New Moon, when we have the
chance to dig deep, let go, trust and show our tender underbellies so that we
can make a leap forward on our journeys. This is a time to shed the old skin
and emerge all shiny and new, albeit a little bit more vulnerable!

Neptune in Pisces is helping out this process by forming a
harmonious aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury during this New Moon. Neptune
spiritualises whatever planet he comes into contact with, and so we could find
that we experience some very deep connections to others during this time, as we
are able to see beyond pretence and glimpse one another’s true essence and spirit;
their divinity. Neptune dissolves boundaries, and combined with the merging and
soul searching nature of Scorpio, we could find ourselves truly feeling what each
other is feeling and experiencing true compassion, soul connection and
unconditional love. This is a very helpful aspect to have, as it softens the
edges somewhat and helps us find heartfelt empathy and understanding for
ourselves and others. Neptune represents unity and is that part of ourselves
that knows that we are all one and that what happens to one happens to all. Neptune
is currently sitting right on top of the South Node of the Moon, so we have a
chance to recognise any blind spots or sabotaging tendencies that we might be
bringing forward from our past. It is time to tell the truth instead of lying
to ourselves or others. This is how trust is built. It is also time to let go
of being the victim. Everything that has happened so far has happened for a
reason. All is unfolding exactly as it should.

Saturn and Venus are joining forces in Sagittarius during
this Moon, which could take a variety of forms. We might be forced to take a
long, hard look at our relationships and decide whether they are based in
reality. We may find that we need to examine our beliefs about ourselves and relationships
and recognise how they sabotage us and prevent us from having what we so dearly
want. We may make a deeper commitment to our partner or relationship, or it may
go up to the next level. A conjunction can go either way, so Saturn conjunct
Venus can either make us fearful or inhibited about relating or can somehow make
it more tangible, honest and real. It can either make us feel constricted and
held back or can make us feel like it is a stable base for us to operate from
and spring out into the world. One thing is for sure, and that is that Saturn
does make things very real and will ensure that we are experiencing the truth
of one another rather than any kind of illusion or pretty picture. This
definitely lines up with the rest of the chart for this Moon. It seems that we
are being invited to be utterly authentic and truly allow ourselves to be seen.
This, of course, means that we have to be willing to see ourselves.

The Sabian Symbol for the Sun and Moon, at 8° Scorpio, is “A
calm lake bathed in Moonlight.” Dane Rudyar says of this symbol “A quiet
openness to higher inspiration…. a surrender of two personal egos to the
inspiration of transcendent feelings which are essentially impersonal. Love
expresses itself through the lovers,
for real Love is a cosmic undifferentiated principle or power which simply
focuses itself within the “souls” of human beings who reflect its light. The
same is true of the mystic’s love for God. … a moment comes when all that
really matters is to present a calm mind upon which a supernal light may be
reflected.” With Scorpio, still waters run deep. It seems that this moon is asking
us to take a long hard look inside, both at ourselves and another. We have the
opportunity to look below at what might be hidden beneath the surface and also
to face what is mirrored back to us through our intimate relationships. It does
seem as if there will be amazing rewards for being brave enough to face our
shadows and bring what is hidden there out into the light. As I said, Scorpio
asks a lot, but it is definitely worth doing the work!

“Love takes off the
masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use
the word “love” here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being,
or a state of grace – not in the infantile American sense of being made happy
but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth.”

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Well, this is the most potent and potentially transforming
Full Moon that I have seen in quite some time! Change is afoot! Not only that
but it’s a Supermoon which means that it is closer to us than usual, so it will
have a stronger effect on our mind, emotions, body and soul. It is the
culmination of the New Moon in Libra on 1 October, which involved us setting
some powerful intentions (consciously or unconsciously) involving our
relationships and what we really, truly want for ourselves. An energetic ball
was set in motion at that time which is now coming to a peak. I have noticed a
lot of people in the past couple of weeks talking about what they want from
their lives; what their perfect life would be if nothing was holding them back.
Now is the time to start to actually put our money where our mouth is! This
Moon has some potently powerful planetary energy that has the potential to
revolutionise our lives and release us from old patterns and ways of relating
so that we can live from a more authentic, truthful place. We have an amazing
opportunity here to throw off the shackles of past conditioning and completely
change the way we approach our lives and relationships.

The Sun is in harmonious, peaceful and relationship-oriented
Libra, sitting directly opposite the Moon in assertive, honest and brave Aries.
This is the relationship axis, so we are being asked to find a balance between
Libra’s tendency to compromise and put other first and Aries ability express
his needs and practice the art of self-love. The fact of matter is that without
self-love we don’t really have the capacity to love another human being
unconditionally, but of course this can go too far if we are constantly putting
ourselves first. This Moon seems to be asking us to approach our relationships
from a place of truth and emotional honesty, even if this feels uncomfortable
or scary! Aries likes to get everything out into the open, so this Moon could
involve some truths being revealed that have been simmering away below the surface
until now. Libra, however, likes to keep the peace and reminds us that there
are ways to express ourselves that is more palatable for the other person to
hear! We are also reminded that it is very important to honour our
relationships as entities in their own right and tend to them, much as we would
a garden. The key is to be able to openly express our needs, but not much so
that so it compromises the relationship. A delicate balance!

Mars, the ruler of this Moon, and Pluto are forming a
conjunction in Capricorn which will be exact on Wednesday 19 October, but is
most definitely building now! While Pluto is the soul, symbolising our
unconscious desires that emanate from a place deep within us, Mars is the ambassador
of the soul and acts on those desires. These two planets are the co-rulers of
Scorpio and now they are together just in time for the Full Moon! Phew! This has
the potential to be deeply transforming and to help us to put into action
whatever it is that we need in order to move forward and grow on a deep level. The
combined energy of these two planets will bring our shadows and whatever we
might usually supress out into the light whether we like it or not! They could
bring out some raw power, passion and possibly even rage and force us to own
the parts of ourselves that we might usually keep hidden far from sight. The
truth could be revealed in no uncertain terms and we could find that we have
more energy and drive to transform our lives and relationships.

Pluto in Capricorn has been slowly but surely dismantling
the structure of our lives since 2008 so that we can bring what we do in the
world more into alignment with our true purpose. This conjunction, combined
with this relationship-oriented Full Moon, can really help us to transform the
way we approach our relationships and so that we are coming from a place of
authenticity and integrity. There is nothing light and fluffy about this
combination, that’s for sure! They will throw superficiality and pretence out
of the window and bring out the truth of the matter. These two planets do have
the capacity for superhuman power, as Mars the warrior acts on compulsions
which come from Pluto’s hidden depths. They could give us the courage to “put
our money where our mouth is” and actually set in motion all of the intentions
we have been setting in recent times. They are also forming a harmonious aspect
to the North Node, which will help us to move forward and evolve on a deep,
soul level. We are being called to step up to the plate and grow!

Pluto is also forming and almost exact square to Mercury in
Libra, so we can expect some very revealing, emotionally honest and penetrating
conversations during this time, especially as the planet of communication is in
the sign of relating. This aspect encourages us to be honest and allow
ourselves to be vulnerable by showing all that we are feeling, not just the
pretty bits. Mercury in Libra may prefer to keep the conversation harmonious
and peaceful, but Mars and Pluto won’t allow that! This could bring things out
into the open that could completely transform the way we relate with one
another. While Mercury in Libra may highlight how we hide our true feelings and
only show what we feel is pleasing to people, this doesn’t allow for true
intimacy, as the other person isn’t able to see and know all that we are. The
square from Pluto and Mars, however, could force some truths out of us that
could take us by surprise but will allow for a deepening that will ultimately
bring us much closer to our loved ones.

Uranus, the Great Awakener, Revolutionary and Rebel and
Eris, the newest planet on the block, are conjunct one another and sitting
smack bang on top of the Moon in Aries. If this doesn’t help us break some old,
stuck patterns then I’ll eat my big toe! Eris can reveal the truth of the
matter in no uncertain terms and is an agent for change, driving us forward so
that we can ascend. She has the capacity to reveal what is really going on
beneath the surface so that we can shine the light into the shadows. She pushes
us forward in our evolution, whether we like it or not! There is something
quite speeded up about her energy. Uranus forces us out of stagnant ruts and
helps us to release whatever is blocking us from being truly ourselves. Wherever
we are stuck, or resisting change, he will bring a seemingly external event to
rattle our cages and take away whatever is holding us back. The external event
is, however, merely a reflection of our inner need for change. This Moon could help
us to break old patterns of relating and will very likely bring the odd
epiphany or two and the opportunity for some major breakthroughs. We are being
dared to step outside of the mould and break years of conditioning! It’s all very exciting!

We mustn’t forget the Venus, the ruler of Libra, is still in
Scorpio, which is Pluto and Mars’ sign! This doubles the potential for deep,
soulful relating that really gets to the heart of the matter. Venus in Scorpio
is deeply emotional and unafraid of revealing whatever is lurking in the
shadows and allowing herself to be vulnerable. She invites soul connections
into our lives, while Jupiter, who has recently entered Libra, brings people in
who can help us to grow and expand our horizons. I am very excited about
Jupiter in Libra, because it feels like a more buoyant energy has come in since
he entered the sign of harmony, balance and relationships in mid-September,
helped by the waning of the Saturn Neptune square, of course! It brings the
potential for mutually beneficial relationships and the capacity to really grow
though them, especially is we are willing to put the work in. He’ll be in Libra
until October next year.

The Sabian symbol for the midpoint between the Sun and Moon
is 24° Capricorn “A woman entering a convent.” Dane Rudyar describes this as a “Total
commitment to a transcendent goal” and “the possibility of pursing in peace a
spiritual ideal to which the whole being aspires and is totally dedicated”, and
for us to “surrender to a “higher” Law or quality of being”. There is an all or
nothing feeling to this symbol – a sense that we need to dive in and really be
willing to “walk the talk” and truly live our ideals. This Moon is not for the
faint-hearted, that’s for sure! It is an opportunity to really cut through the
bullshit and create some profound change in our lives and relationships,
especially if we are brave, willing and ready to do so.

Well, this is the most potent and potentially transforming
Full Moon that I have seen in quite some time! Change is afoot! Not only that
but it’s a Supermoon which means that it is closer to us than usual, so it will
have a stronger effect on our mind, emotions, body and soul. It is the
culmination of the New Moon in Libra on 1 October, which involved us setting
some powerful intentions (consciously or unconsciously) involving our
relationships and what we really, truly want for ourselves. An energetic ball
was set in motion at that time which is now coming to a peak. I have noticed a
lot of people in the past couple of weeks talking about what they want from
their lives; what their perfect life would be if nothing was holding them back.
Now is the time to start to actually put our money where our mouth is! This
Moon has some potently powerful planetary energy that has the potential to
revolutionise our lives and release us from old patterns and ways of relating
so that we can live from a more authentic, truthful place. We have an amazing
opportunity here to throw off the shackles of past conditioning and completely
change the way we approach our lives and relationships.

The Sun is in harmonious, peaceful and relationship-oriented
Libra, sitting directly opposite the Moon in assertive, honest and brave Aries.
This is the relationship axis, so we are being asked to find a balance between
Libra’s tendency to compromise and put other first and Aries ability express
his needs and practice the art of self-love. The fact of matter is that without
self-love we don’t really have the capacity to love another human being
unconditionally, but of course this can go too far if we are constantly putting
ourselves first. This Moon seems to be asking us to approach our relationships
from a place of truth and emotional honesty, even if this feels uncomfortable
or scary! Aries likes to get everything out into the open, so this Moon could
involve some truths being revealed that have been simmering away below the surface
until now. Libra, however, likes to keep the peace and reminds us that there
are ways to express ourselves that is more palatable for the other person to
hear! We are also reminded that it is very important to honour our
relationships as entities in their own right and tend to them, much as we would
a garden. The key is to be able to openly express our needs, but not much so
that so it compromises the relationship. A delicate balance!

Mars, the ruler of this Moon, and Pluto are forming a
conjunction in Capricorn which will be exact on Wednesday 19 October, but is
most definitely building now! While Pluto is the soul, symbolising our
unconscious desires that emanate from a place deep within us, Mars is the ambassador
of the soul and acts on those desires. These two planets are the co-rulers of
Scorpio and now they are together just in time for the Full Moon! Phew! This has
the potential to be deeply transforming and to help us to put into action
whatever it is that we need in order to move forward and grow on a deep level. The
combined energy of these two planets will bring our shadows and whatever we
might usually supress out into the light whether we like it or not! They could
bring out some raw power, passion and possibly even rage and force us to own
the parts of ourselves that we might usually keep hidden far from sight. The
truth could be revealed in no uncertain terms and we could find that we have
more energy and drive to transform our lives and relationships.

Pluto in Capricorn has been slowly but surely dismantling
the structure of our lives since 2008 so that we can bring what we do in the
world more into alignment with our true purpose. This conjunction, combined
with this relationship-oriented Full Moon, can really help us to transform the
way we approach our relationships and so that we are coming from a place of
authenticity and integrity. There is nothing light and fluffy about this
combination, that’s for sure! They will throw superficiality and pretence out
of the window and bring out the truth of the matter. These two planets do have
the capacity for superhuman power, as Mars the warrior acts on compulsions
which come from Pluto’s hidden depths. They could give us the courage to “put
our money where our mouth is” and actually set in motion all of the intentions
we have been setting in recent times. They are also forming a harmonious aspect
to the North Node, which will help us to move forward and evolve on a deep,
soul level. We are being called to step up to the plate and grow!

Pluto is also forming and almost exact square to Mercury in
Libra, so we can expect some very revealing, emotionally honest and penetrating
conversations during this time, especially as the planet of communication is in
the sign of relating. This aspect encourages us to be honest and allow
ourselves to be vulnerable by showing all that we are feeling, not just the
pretty bits. Mercury in Libra may prefer to keep the conversation harmonious
and peaceful, but Mars and Pluto won’t allow that! This could bring things out
into the open that could completely transform the way we relate with one
another. While Mercury in Libra may highlight how we hide our true feelings and
only show what we feel is pleasing to people, this doesn’t allow for true
intimacy, as the other person isn’t able to see and know all that we are. The
square from Pluto and Mars, however, could force some truths out of us that
could take us by surprise but will allow for a deepening that will ultimately
bring us much closer to our loved ones.

Uranus, the Great Awakener, Revolutionary and Rebel and
Eris, the newest planet on the block, are conjunct one another and sitting
smack bang on top of the Moon in Aries. If this doesn’t help us break some old,
stuck patterns then I’ll eat my big toe! Eris can reveal the truth of the
matter in no uncertain terms and is an agent for change, driving us forward so
that we can ascend. She has the capacity to reveal what is really going on
beneath the surface so that we can shine the light into the shadows. She pushes
us forward in our evolution, whether we like it or not! There is something
quite speeded up about her energy. Uranus forces us out of stagnant ruts and
helps us to release whatever is blocking us from being truly ourselves. Wherever
we are stuck, or resisting change, he will bring a seemingly external event to
rattle our cages and take away whatever is holding us back. The external event
is, however, merely a reflection of our inner need for change. This Moon could help
us to break old patterns of relating and will very likely bring the odd
epiphany or two and the opportunity for some major breakthroughs. We are being
dared to step outside of the mould and break years of conditioning! It’s all very exciting!

We mustn’t forget the Venus, the ruler of Libra, is still in
Scorpio, which is Pluto and Mars’ sign! This doubles the potential for deep,
soulful relating that really gets to the heart of the matter. Venus in Scorpio
is deeply emotional and unafraid of revealing whatever is lurking in the
shadows and allowing herself to be vulnerable. She invites soul connections
into our lives, while Jupiter, who has recently entered Libra, brings people in
who can help us to grow and expand our horizons. I am very excited about
Jupiter in Libra, because it feels like a more buoyant energy has come in since
he entered the sign of harmony, balance and relationships in mid-September,
helped by the waning of the Saturn Neptune square, of course! It brings the
potential for mutually beneficial relationships and the capacity to really grow
though them, especially is we are willing to put the work in. He’ll be in Libra
until October next year.

The Sabian symbol for the midpoint between the Sun and Moon
is 24° Capricorn “A woman entering a convent.” Dane Rudyar describes this as a “Total
commitment to a transcendent goal” and “the possibility of pursing in peace a
spiritual ideal to which the whole being aspires and is totally dedicated”, and
for us to “surrender to a “higher” Law or quality of being”. There is an all or
nothing feeling to this symbol – a sense that we need to dive in and really be
willing to “walk the talk” and truly live our ideals. This Moon is not for the
faint-hearted, that’s for sure! It is an opportunity to really cut through the
bullshit and create some profound change in our lives and relationships,
especially if we are brave, willing and ready to do so.

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

There is a lot going on during this Moon, as the Sun and
Moon are forming aspects to five significant planets! The New Moon in Libra
highlights our relationships and signifies new beginnings and seeds being sewn
in the way we relate to others. Libra is the sign of balance and harmony and
helps us learn to relate to each other as equals, whereby we listen to and
really take in the needs of the other person and in turn have our needs met.
This is the sign of compromise and cooperation, where we become aware of the relationship
itself as an entity in its own right and make sure we tend to it, much as we
would care for a garden. On the one hand we have the needs of the two people involved,
but also the need to honour the relationship itself and sometimes make
sacrifices for it.

Relationships can be a rather uncomfortable mirror at times
as our partners, friends or family members reflect back to us the parts of
ourselves that we may prefer to deny. All too often our intimate relationships
trigger old, unconscious, unresolved wounds or patterns of relating formed in
childhood that tend to replay in our adult lives. This can be painful to experience but can also
help us to grow enormously if we are open to growth, that is, rather than
merely defensive or reactive! We all have wounds, as it is hard to get through childhood
without the odd emotional battle scar or two, so it is inevitable that we will
have to confront them at some point or other, especially within our intimate
relationships. Libra asks that we learn to handle whatever comes up with grace.
This sign very much values fairness and justice and can always see things from
the other person’s perspective.

Jupiter has just entered Libra, where he will remain for a
year, and is sitting right next to the Sun and Moon for this lunation. Jupiter
is the planet of growth and expansion, so we may well find that this New Moon
brings the potential for amazing growth within the realm of our relationships.
Growth can be either easy or challenging, however, and with Pluto and Mars
forming a square to the Sun and Moon there is definitely the potential for some
triggering, poking and prodding to be the catalyst for the growth! Jupiter can
help us to make the most of whatever comes up, as he helps us to extract the
lessons and see the blessings in any challenges we may face.

In order to really grow we must be willing to face ourselves
and to really acknowledge and own our shortcomings, rather than blaming others,
and Jupiter in Libra can really help us to do that. Not only that, he gives us
a sense of humour about the whole thing, which is truly invaluable! When facing
challenging moments while relating to one another he reminds us to be able to laugh
at ourselves and see the absurdity in the situation. It doesn’t have to be
taken so seriously! He helps us to rise above any petty concerns and see the
bigger picture, which is invaluable. This Moon, and indeed this year, could
really help us to be the best we can be within our relationships, though of
course we must also be willing to put in the work.

As Jupiter is the largest planet, he tends to exaggerate the
energy of the sign he is in, and in the case of Libra he will be expanding any
tendency towards compromise, balance, beauty, equality, diplomacy, harmony,
listening, cooperation, team work, justice and peace. Of course, all of these
traits have their shadow and can be taken too far, so we must watch out for too
much people pleasing, or not being able to say no. It could also highlight any
tendency we have towards enmeshed, unhealthy or co-dependent relationships. This
could be a good opportunity to recognise where we either over assert ourselves
or allow ourselves to be walked all over. Relationships are such a delicate
balance between the needs of the two people involved! It’s so easy for
imbalance to occur, so it is very important to be mindful. Another thing that
Jupiter in Libra could do is bring people across our path who can help us to move
forward and grow in some way, and vice versa.

Pluto and Mars are both forming squares to the Sun and Moon,
which brings the potential for deep change and transformation on a soul level,
as long as we are able to face ourselves honestly. Pluto has just turned
direct, so he is quite strong at the moment. He tends to poke and prod and
bring about profound change, especially if we are resisting whatever we need
for further growth. It could be that we are forced to dig deep within during
this Moon and face up to some rather uncomfortable truths, but if we can face
them honestly and bravely then we have the capacity to really help our
relationships. We have the chance to release ourselves from old, stuck patterns
and recognise where we are holding ourselves back from achieving the balance we
desire. He can also highlight any imbalance
of power in our relationships. The ruler of this Moon, Venus, is also in
Scorpio, which is the sign ruled by Pluto, so this strengthens the possibility
for us to achieve some kind of inner transformation through our relationships.
Certainly our relationships will take on a more intense and soulful tone while
Venus is in Scorpio, as this is a very emotional sign without an ounce of
superficiality! It wouldn’t surprise me if we didn’t attract the odd soul
connection or two during this period, so it’s important to be alert and open.

The strongest aspect that the Sun and Moon are making is to
the Neptune/South Node conjunction in Pisces, which is very close to being
exact now. This conjunction, in
connection to our relationships, can show where we are living in a fantasyland
and are unable to see people or things as they really are. This Moon could
highlight our tendency to put the rose-tinted spectacles on and not face up to
what is really going on, even though deep down we know something is not right. Neptune
and Pisces are very adept at escapism and avoiding reality! It can also show
where we might tend to play the victim and not be accountable for the part that
we play in whatever happens to us. It is important to remember that a
relationship involves two people who are both responsible for creating whatever
dynamic unfolds between them. It takes two to tango, always! Again, this aspect
also brings the potential for people to pop up who we have known before,
whether in this lifetime or in previous incarnations. I have a strong sense
that we need to very open and alert to any signs or people who come across our
path who seem somehow familiar. This is a very karmic time, methinks, when we
can attract some mutually beneficial soul connections.

Saturn is forming a positive aspect to the Moon, helping us
to stay grounded in reality. He is also forming a square to the Nodes of the
Moon at the moment, which could make us quite aware of how our beliefs are
holding us back from moving forward and manifesting the life we really want. I
have been contemplating this idea a lot recently, that if we are supposed to setting
conscious intentions for what we want for ourselves and how we see our future,
then what do we do about any unconscious beliefs that we have that we somehow
don’t deserve it, or that it is not possible? It seems that we all have a
multitude of utterly unconscious beliefs that send us in completely the
opposite direction to what we consciously desire! These beliefs, or agreements
with ourselves, were often formed when we were so young that we can’t possibly
remember where they have come from. Saturn in Sagittarius could make us acutely
aware of how we sabotage ourselves through these limiting beliefs, which could
be quite uncomfortable but which will ultimately help us to flow in the
direction of our heartfelt desires instead of resisting them.

Something else to be aware of is that the Nodes are in Virgo
and Pisces at the moment, which is the healing axis. The heaviness of Saturn
bearing down on the nodal axis could bring up considerable sorrow and grief as
we release the pain of the past. We don’t need to know what we are letting go
of; it is enough to simply release it. It is a necessary purification process. This aspect has been building for the last
couple of weeks and peaked on Monday and Tuesday, so it is still very strong.
It could help give us enough of a kick up the bum to start working towards
making our wishful daydreams about how we want to live our life into an actual
reality!

Yes, there is a lot going on for this Moon! New Moon in
Libra certainly signifies a new chapter within the realm of our relationships. It does seem like a very karmic time, when we
have the chance to set some positive intentions for ourselves and our
relationships and also to release ourselves from old, outworn patterns of relating
that keep replaying and any unconscious beliefs that might sabotage us. We
could notice people popping up that hold the key to some part of our growth and
evolution. We could find ourselves pondering what we really, truly want for
ourselves and what we need to do on a practical level to achieve that. It
starts with clarifying our intention and setting the energy ball rolling in
that direction, while releasing any resistance that we might have to actually getting
what we want! It is also possible that we know exactly what we want and need,
yet are not brave or motivated enough to actually move in that direction. Sometimes,
however, what we think we want is actually not what we want at all! I am
reminded of the saying “Life is what happens when we are busy making other
plans”. Let’s see what might be around the
next bend in the river!

Wednesday, 14 September 2016

This Full Moon is also a Lunar Eclipse, which continues the
theme endings and beginnings on a very deep level. The Solar Eclipse of 2
September involved the North Node of the Moon, which would have helped up to move
forward on our journey; to step outside of our comfort zones and make choices to
help us grow on a soul level. This Eclipse involves the South Node of the Moon,
which represents where we are most comfortable but where we need to move away
from in order to evolve and grow. The South Node can often become too
comfortable and almost become our Achilles heel. Ultimately it is about finding a balance
between the energy of the two signs involved, which in this case is Virgo and
Pisces. The emphasis is on the Pisces South Node this time, which asks us to
let go of any victim mentality and remember that we have created our own
reality through our thoughts and intentions, and that we always have free will.

We create our reality by setting intentions in the form of
our hopes, wishes and desires, something that Pisces is very good at. Then,
once we have got exactly what we asked for, because the universe does tend to
take us literally, we get to use the Virgoan art of discernment to decide whether
what we have asked for is actually what we want or need! We are not necessarily
stuck with it, even though it is what we thought we wanted! We must remember
that we, albeit unconsciously, bring people and situations into our lives in
order to teach us something and to grow. While Pisces may make us feel that we
are at the mercy of fate or circumstance, Virgo reminds us that we are responsible
for what happens to us and still have choices. Situations or people may fall in
front of us and have a somewhat fated quality to them, but it is completely up
to us to decide whether they are right for us.

The Pisces South Node can also show where we have a tendency
to bury our head in the sand and avoid reality. It is so easy to simply see
what we want to see, creating a dream reality about a person or situation that
is based on what we so dearly want for ourselves rather than who or what they
actually are. The Virgo North Node asks that we use our powers of
discrimination to look beyond the dream so that we can see what is really
there. The Sabian symbol for the North Node, at 12° Virgo, is “After the
wedding, the groom snatches the veil away from his bride.” This brings a sense
of mysteries being unveiled and being able to see the reality rather than the
illusion. It also brings the possibility of relating on a deeper level, having
dropped the veil of pretence. There is definitely the sense of letting go of
the dream and not only seeing others for who they really are, but also showing
our true selves rather than what we would want people to see.

The Moon in sensitive, empathetic and intuitive Pisces is
forming aspects to Venus, Mars and Chiron the Wounded Healer during this Moon.
Chiron is sitting right next to the Moon, which makes this Full Moon incredibly
healing in nature, although it could involve some of our more acute wounds or
vulnerabilities rising up to the surface, specifically in the realm of our
relationships. Pisces helps us to connect to one another on a very deep level so
that we truly see each other’s divinity, our true essence, beyond our ego
defences. With Mars and Chiron involved we could find that our core wounds are
triggered somewhat, so that we have no choice but to admit them to ourselves
and others. It can be incredibly healing to expose ourselves in this way, but
can also make us feel very vulnerable. Ultimately, however, showing our more
tender, fragile, wounded nature can only help our relationships, because it
helps us to “drop the veil” and show who we really are, minus our usual
defences.

Mars and Venus are forming a harmonious connection to one
another during this Moon, which is very helpful for our intimate relationships,
as it helps us to relate in a free and easy manner. They are both, however, forming challenging
aspects to the Moon/Chiron conjunction, which mean that we might feel quite
sensitive and triggered as our sore spots are prodded and poked! Ouch! It is
important not to react defensively, which could happen with feisty Mars
squaring the Sun and Moon, but rather to have the courage to be open and honest
with ourselves and our loved ones. Mars seems to be asking us to be brave
warriors and not be afraid to face the truth in ourselves and others, as
painful as it could be. There is such huge potential for healing in this Moon,
which can help us to really, truly see each other and also to connect with our
true essence. It is quite possible that there will be some form of cleansing
and purification process involved here, which could be incredibly cathartic.
Uranus is also aspecting Mars and Venus, which could help us to release
ourselves from old, stuck, outworn ways of relating. The rules are changing and
we are all finding our way in the dark somewhat as we move away from
co-dependent relationships towards a more expansive way of relating.

Speaking of which, on Friday 9 September, Jupiter, the
planet of growth and expansion, moved out of Virgo into Libra, the sign of
relationships. This feels like a very positive shift indeed, as Jupiter can
help us to create balance, harmony and joy in our relationships. His presence
in this sign will help us to compromise without compromising ourselves and to
find a sense of equality in the way we relate to one another. Relationships are
a delicate balance between the needs of the two individuals, and Jupiter should
help us to find this balance without too much effort. Jupiter in Libra can
definitely expand our social circle in a very positive way and helps us to form
connections and relationships with people whereby we can really help one
another grow and expand, both individually and together.

On 22 September, which is the Autumn Equinox, Mercury
stations direct again, having been retrograde since August 30th. In
the days before and after he turns direct we must be prepared and aware that
miscommunication, misinterpretation and misunderstandings are very possible!
During his retrograde period in Virgo, we have had a chance to look within and
practice the art of discernment in our lives, so that we are able to make
choices that really resonate with us and reflect where we are heading in life.
It has been a good time for reflection and retrospection; for going back over
the past so we can better understand the present. During this Full Moon Mercury
is forming a harmonious aspect to Pluto, the planet of soul and transformation,
which brings the potential for some very deep, penetrating conversations that
really get to the heart of the matter. This aspect definitely complements the
energy of the Full Moon, as it does seem as if we might be forced to confront
some emotional truths during this time! Pluto himself is also turning direct on
26 September, meaning that the chance for soul growth and transformation is
very strong from the Equinox until the beginning of October.

This Moon surely does have the potential to be quite
emotional and also incredibly healing! While Mars may poke and prod and trigger
us somewhat, forcing us to face some
uncomfortable truths and making us a bit defensive, the Pisces/Chiron
conjunction is so very tender and compassionate, which will not only help us to
connect in a heartfelt way, but will also help us to find forgiveness for an
shortcomings in ourselves and others. Often we are so much harder on ourselves
than we are on our loved ones, so finding compassion for ourselves is so very
important. There is a definite sense of something being exposed, of the veil of
illusion being pulled back and the full extent of who we are being revealed
during this Moon. It is better to face the truth rather than just seeing what
we want to see, as lovely as the dream may be! On another level, Pisces is the
dreamer of dreams and has the daydreams and imaginings, while Virgo can help
ground these dreams on the earth plane and make them a reality. What the mind
can perceive, the body can achieve! The ultimate gift of a Pisces Moon,
however, is unconditional love. The ability to look beyond the wounds, the defences
and the human frailties and see the true essence and spirit within. And to love
all of it, with no thought of return. We
just have to remember to do the same for ourselves!

About Me

I am an astrologer, painter and Reiki master practitioner. I am endlessly fascinated by the effect the planets have on us humans, both personally and collectively. There is also something quite comforting about knowing that we are all dealing with the same energy, albeit in different ways and in varying degrees of intensity!